Teeth Clenching: The Facts

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Did you know that clenching your teeth, which is also known as bruxism, can occur while you’re sleeping or when you’re awake? Sadly, this issue can actually lead to a number of serious issues. Many people clench their teeth without realizing what they’re doing. This is especially problematic because you may clench your teeth while you’re resting.

Sadly, there are a number of issues you may have to deal with if you have bruxism. For instance, your enamel could wear down, which may leave you more vulnerable to tooth decay. Furthermore, clenching your teeth could lead to tension headaches or even migraines. Similarly, clenching your teeth could lead to chipped or fractured teeth. In fact, if you have bruxism, you could actually lose all of your teeth.

Fortunately, even though you could be clenching your teeth unwillingly, there are a few symptoms you can watch for. For instance, as a result of teeth grinding, you could face dull headaches, especially after you sleep. Your mouth and muscles may frequently feel sore. Sadly, you may also experience pain in your ear, damage to the insides of your cheeks, and even indentations on your tongue.

Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to address bruxism—though your solution will depend on the source of your problem. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to address the issue. Often, a custom mouth guard will be the solution our team recommends, though having teeth realigned may work as well.

Are you interested learning more about the causes—or about the solutions—for bruxism? Are you simply hoping to schedule an appointment with our dentist, Dr. Marianne Morelli? If so, we invite you to contact Brookfield Family Dentistry, LLC at 203.775.6167. Our team will gladly answer any questions you may have and assess your individual needs. We’re excited to hear from you soon!